Bethel Park School District Fact Checks Media Narrative About Crooks

July 22, 2024

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The Bethel Park School District (BPS) in Pittsburgh, PA, issued a fact check regarding the current narrative about would-be Trump assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks.

In a statement posted on July 20, 2024, BPS said it had confirmed the alleged shooter in the July 13, 2024, assassination attempt on former President Donald J. Trump was, in fact, a graduate of Bethel Park High School, Class of 2022.

"The school district wishes to express its sincere wishes for a speedy and complete recovery for Mr. Trump and those in attendance at the Saturday event who may have been physically harmed or emotionally impacted by these tragic events. We offer special condolences to the family of Mr. Corey Comperatore, who was killed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time," the statement said.

BPS is fully cooperating with the investigation, and said it would share information as appropriate. Then it went on to correct the current narrative about Crooks.

Rifle Team Involvement

Crooks was never a member of the BPS rifle team, nor is there a record he tried out for team. The coach doesn't recall meeting him, but the district said it was "possible" that Crooks could have "informally attended a practice" but it doesn't have a record of that happening

Threats of Violence

Crooks has never threatened violence against the school. However, in 2019, another student did make threats against specific school administrators. That student was disciplined. The district confirmed that the incident had no connection to Crooks.

Bullying

According to BPS records, Crooks "excelled academically, regularly attended school, and had no disciplinary incidents, including those related to bullying or threats." He was further described as "a quiet, bright young man who generally got along with his teachers and classmates."

After setting the record straight, BPS said it would be "wildly irresponsible" to speculate on Crook's state of mind in the two years since he graduated.